Evan had never actually learned how to use magic. When he played H.K.U, most spells would be cast via button combinations to activate. Quickly thinking of the button combinations to cast a common flame spell, yet nothing happened.
He slouched his shoulders in defeat as he nervously looked around at the other students. He breathed a sigh of relief since nobody was paying attention to him, instead focusing on their casting.
'I was too busy nearly dying that I never actually tried to circulate the mana in my body! I doubt I have a core formed as well. What the hell should I do?'
As Evan thought about all the possible ideas on how he could potentially acquire a core, the professor stood behind him. Gram nudged Evan's arm, and he turned to face the professor, who was watching him intimidatingly.
"Why haven't you begun casting? Are you having difficulties?" the professor asked.
Although not wanting to cause a scene, he was completely out of ideas and backed into a corner. He put on airs and a disgusted face as he looked the professor in the eyes.
"Huh? My father didn't send me here to juggle sparks. I assumed we'd moved past small tricks," Evan announced.
With a few mixed reactions from the students, almost all of them looked at Evan with disgust and anger. A majority of the class was of commoner origin and did not like Evan's attitude. Some protested out loud, stating that this school holds every student to equal standards and that no one should be excluded from this. The students began to grow more chaotic, visibly aggravated as they continued to berate Evan.
"Silence."
A large wave of pressure befell the class as silence overtook everyone—not forcefully, but instinctually in the face of such power. The professor then looked back toward Evan, who still held his arrogant attitude, although with sweat dripping down his head. Leaning toward Evan, the professor's eyes dug into his mind, creating a manifestation of dread. It took the shape of a large dark green snake, as its giant body began to wrap around him. The professor's eyes loomed over him with judgment.
'T-This pressure! This guy must be at the very least a Master… No, a Regulator! I can't stand down! If I break here, I'm for sure going to be mocked and lowered in status!'
Evan returned a glare, visibly shaken and exhausted. For what seemed like an eternity, he was released from the professor's menacing gaze as he grew a small slime for a brief moment.
"This school is about equality, Mr. Asteria. I won't permit such arrogance in my class. However, you seem to be confident in your abilities. To compensate for such a scene, you will prove to everyone here within a month's time that you should be excluded from such menial tasks not because of your status, but because of your talent," the man explained, announcing it to the class.
Looking toward all the students who glared at him, Evan sighed as he grinned.
"Very well. I'll show you why me trying would be unfair to the rest of them," Evan proclaimed.
"Hmm, we'll see. If you manage to complete the task I have given you, I will pass you with an A for the month, along with one request you desire. However, if you fail, you will be expelled for going against the school's rules. You are dismissed, Evan Asteria."
As the professor shooed Evan away, both he and Gram exited the room.
"What the hell was that, Evan?" Gram asked, pulling Evan toward him, only to see the clearly distraught look on his face.
"What's with you? Are you worried about not being able to complete the task? Why even argue with the professor then?"
As Evan composed himself, he looked at Gram.
"I have my reasons, Gram. Do not worry, this is for the best. If you'll excuse me now, I will be heading to my dorms. Can you check on Lady for me and tell me how she is doing on her first day?" Evan asked.
Getting confirmation from Gram, he walked away and made his way to his dorm room. Watching Evan walk away, Gram couldn't help but want to report this to Julius, but since Evan hadn't done anything to Talon, he couldn't. The only thing to do now was to watch what would transpire and go from there.
After arriving at his dorm room, Evan sat down at his desk as his entire demeanor crumbled in an instant.
'Not only do I have to create a core within a week, which is literally impossible, but I also have to show great control over a common magic flame spell! How could I forget to make a core?'
As Evan scratched his head, he looked up toward the ceiling.
"To be fair, I was hospitalized for a good portion of the time I was home," Evan mumbled to himself.
Evan sat in silence. As a group of birds flew past his window, one struck itself against the glass. Surprised, Evan quickly opened it and gently picked up the injured bird. It seemed to be a crow with one of its eyes missing and its wing broken. It didn't fight Evan's grip on it, instead submitting pretty easily as it cawed loudly.
"Hey little guy, you hurt yourself pretty bad there. You definitely aren't going to be flying for a bit," Evan said to the bird as he closed his window and placed it on his desk.
The crow hopped up and down, then stared at Evan with its one brown eye. It continued to hop, edging itself toward the corner of the desk before hopping off. It spread its wings and began to flap rapidly before crashing to the ground. It cawed again before trying to open its broken wing, to no avail.
"I told you, little guy, you're not going anywhere," Evan said, before getting an idea.
"Crow, you have found yourself in a dire situation, it seems. Your wing is broken, and you have no means to protect yourself in the wild. Submit yourself to me and join my ever-growing army! I'll make sure to fix your wing and have you soar to new heights you never thought possible! Become my eye in the sky!" Evan proclaimed, not noticing his door had opened.
Standing in the doorway was Jakarta, who seemed to be stunned and holding in a laugh. As the two eyes met, Jakarta gave a small bow, apologizing for his intrusion before closing the door. Evan stood in the same pose for what seemed like forever as his face began to turn a bright red from the embarrassment.
"Caw!" the crow yelled as it jumped onto Evan's shoe, releasing him from the torment.
'I have to kill him!'
After managing to grab Jakarta, the two sat down. Jakarta looked very nervous and awkward, while Evan sat with a fierce look, burning holes into him. He also noticed the crow near his bed, continuing to try to flap its broken wing, determined to be airborne once again.
"Listen, I'm sorry about—"
"I don't care. I require your assistance," Evan said, interrupting Jakarta.
Looking at him, Jakarta listened to Evan's sudden request.
"Soon, I will be taking my leave from the dorm rooms and will enter an isolation room for training. I need you to get these books on this list for me," Evan explained, handing over a piece of paper to him.
As he began to look at the paper, he turned his head back up toward Evan. Everything on the list was books on the basics of magic and theory. Although wanting to ask why he would need such simple books, he did not question it.
"Yeah, I can do that. When do you need them by?"
"Today would be the most preferable," Evan said.
As Jakarta gave Evan a curious look, he nodded and headed toward the library, leaving Evan and his crow alone. Evan picked up the crow and raised him to eye level before grinning. He still doubted the time frame, doubted himself—but that didn't matter anymore. He was Evan Asteria. And like the crow, broken or not, he would fly out of the cage fate had sealed him inside.
"CAW!"
"You're right, let's both try our best!"